Preparation and characterization of shape memory polymer networks based on carboxylated telechelic poly(ɛ-caprolactone)/epoxidized natural rubber blends

Shape memory polymer networks were prepared from blends of end-carboxylated telechelic poly(ɛ-caprolactone) (XPCL) and epoxidized natural rubber (ENR). The XPCL/ENR blends can form cross linked structure via interchain reaction between the reactive groups of each polymer during molding at high temperature. Degree of crosslinking of the blend network and their thermomechanical properties were characterized by gel content measurement, DSC and DMA. We found that the degree of crosslinking and crystalline melting transition temperatures was dependent upon the blend compositions as well as the molecular weight of the XPCL segment in the blends. The blends showed a good shape memory behavior such as good shape fixity as well as a high final recovery rate when they exhibit crystalline melting transition with a sufficiently high degree of crosslinking. And the response temperature of the recovery was well matched with Tm of the samples.